LongHorn hoping to return to its former spot

LongHorn Steakhouse could be back serving prime cuts to Gastonia customers this summer.

Amanda Memrick

LongHorn Steakhouse could be back serving prime cuts to Gastonia customers this summer.

The steakhouse chain’s Gastonia location shut down after a 16-year run in the city when its restaurant at Gaston Mall caught fire on Oct. 16. The fire gutted the interior of the building and threw most of the eatery’s 55 to 60 employees out of work.

LongHorn leased the building near the Cox Road and Franklin Boulevard intersection from Pearson Properties, which owns the land that houses Gaston Mall.

“We're currently partnering with the landlord to extend the current lease, which will allow us to rebuild a new restaurant on the same site,” wrote LongHorn Steakhouse spokeswoman Erica Jaeger via email. “We anticipate it having more seats, but exact details are still being worked out.”

Charlie Pearson of Gastonia-based Pearson Properties said LongHorn’s architects are drawing up plans, but no official paperwork had been signed yet.

“I think both parties want to move as soon as possible,” Pearson said.

Initial plans called for the restaurant to be completed by July, but that time frame could change as talks continue, Pearson said.

LongHorn’s parent company, Darden Restaurants, has site-selection criteria that calls for a 6,242-square-foot building capable of seating 242 patrons. The building sits on 1.42 acres and requires at least 127 parking spaces.

Gastonia’s LongHorn isn’t that large, and Pearson said he doubted that the restaurant could be made much bigger because of parking and space restrictions on the current site. Still, Pearson said he’s heard from many customers who are anxious to have their favorite eatery back in business.

“They’ve got a lot of loyal customers,” Pearson said. “I know LongHorn likes that location, and they want to be back. We’re both working toward that.”

You can reach reporter Amanda Memrick at 704-869-1839 or follow @AmandaMemrick on Twitter.